Inhaling,
Naturally feeling the rise of the belly,
And then taking a long exhale as you notice the belly falling.
Just inhaling naturally and taking your time with that long exhale.
And as you're breathing,
Maybe noticing if there's any area in your body where you're holding tension.
Maybe it's your chest or your shoulders,
Your fingers or your palms.
On this next long breath out,
Let those areas soften and begin to melt.
Now turn your gaze inward,
Just allowing your attention to move away from everything happening around you,
And tune in to yourself.
As you turn inward,
Imagine that you're sitting with a version of yourself that feels steady and clear and wise.
That part of you that already knows how to build boundaries to protect your peace and connect with this version of you.
Maybe you can sense them sitting next to you,
Side by side,
Or perhaps they're deep within.
And ask this part of you,
What is truly important to me right now?
Or is this a temptation to explore what you think should be important,
Or what others expect?
But just ask this wise part of you,
What is truly important to me right now?
Maybe it's peace or kindness,
More time outside,
Rest,
Connection.
There is no wrong answer to this question.
And just give yourself a few moments,
Reflecting on what's truly important to you right now.
And there may be a few things that come to mind,
But bringing just one to your awareness for now.
One that feels especially important to you.
Maybe it's the one that's the most needed.
And hold this one thing in your mind as you ask yourself,
What is one simple way I can protect this?
It doesn't have to be anything big or complicated,
But just something small and realistic.
Maybe it's stepping outside for 10 or 15 minutes a day.
Maybe it's putting your phone away at a certain time.
Maybe it's giving yourself permission to only pick up someone's calls on a certain day or time.
Maybe it's just saying no to over-promising.
Just reflect on what's one simple thing I can do to protect this in my life.
And now thinking about these two things,
What's important to you and how you want to protect it,
And putting it together by saying,
I protect my value of,
And say the thing you're protecting by,
And then say how you're going to protect it.
And just let the words be simple.
I protect my value of,
By doing.
And as you repeat this to yourself,
Notice how that feels.
What does it feel like to identify something that's important to you,
And how you're going to protect that thing.
And however that feels,
Let it settle.
Give yourself permission to protect your peace,
To protect what is important to you,
To uphold those values in your heart,
And to build simple yet important and strong boundaries around that thing.
You can visualize that boundary,
What you're willing to do to protect what's important to you,
As a bubble that goes around you.
Visualizing that bubble as being strong,
All around you,
Protecting that value in your heart.
And once again just noticing how this feels.
Telling yourself three times,
I build strong boundaries,
And I protect my peace.
And taking a big deep breath in through the nose,
And open mouth exhale,
Let it go.
Begin to return to your body in this moment,
Gently reawakening,
And opening the eyes.
Thank you so much for joining me today.
